New Unarmed Security Guard Hawaii – Fees & Training Detailed Info

GARD Pro Not Registered

Type of Security Guard License Required & Issuing Authority

If you are a Hawaiian security guards, either armed and unarmed, effective July 1, 2013 you must carry a Hawaiian Guard Card as proof you’ve registered with the Board of Private Detectives and Guards and have met all the state guidelines. Bouncers are also required to carry a guard card. The state wants the private security industry to operate in a standard, professional manner. The required training is necessary because on duty as a security officers you protect the public safety and the public trusts you. Trained and certified security guards often get higher pay.

No matter if you or your employer pay for the required training cost and application fee, the guard card belongs to you, not your employer.

Security Guard Application & Licensing Requirements

Under Act 208, all guards, and all agents, operatives, and assistants employed by a guard agency, private business entity, or government agency who act in a guard capacity shall apply to register with the Board, and meet the following registration, instruction, and training requirements prior to acting as a guard:

GARD Pro Not Registered

Be not less than 18 years of age;

Possess a high school education or its equivalent

Not be presently suffering from any psychiatric or psychological disorder which is directly related and detrimental to a person’s performance in the profession;

Not have been convicted in any jurisdiction of a crime which reflects unfavorably on the fitness of the individual to act as a guard, unless the conviction has been annulled or expunged by court order; provided that the individual shall submit to a national criminal history record check as authorized by federal law, including but not limited to the Private Security Officer Employment Authorization Act of 2004, and specified in the rules of the Board;

Successfully complete 8 hours of classroom instruction given by a Board approved instructor on a Board approved curriculum before the first day of service; and

4 hours of classroom instruction annually thereafter.

“Act in a guard capacity” or “acting in a guard capacity” means the performance of safekeeping, observation, and reporting functions by a uniformed or non-uniformed employee for the person’s employer; provided that:

“Safekeeping” means protecting property, assets, or persons through a physical presence to detect and deter illegal actions, inappropriate actions, violations of the property’s or premise’s rules or code of conduct, or unsafe conditions; including but not limited to theft, damage, harm, or risk of injury to such persons or property, as applicable.

Exemptions to Needing a HI Guard Card

An employee who performs safekeeping, observation, and reporting functions only incidentally to the employee’s primary job functions and responsibilities are considered to be acting in a guard capacity and, hence, don’t require a guard card. The following are examples of such excluded employees:

A person stationed at the entrance or exit of a retail or commercial establishment whose function is to verify a customer’s membership with and the accuracy of purchases from the retail or commercial establishment;

A parking lot attendant whose responsibility is limited to control the ingress and egress of the parking lot, facility, or structure;

A person whose responsibility is limited to performing water safety and rescue services at a swimming pool, beach, or other body of water;

A person whose responsibility is limited to taking tickets from customers at the entrance or exit of an entertainment, recreational, commercial, or sporting event; and

A residential or commercial property manager who oversees the property owner’s agreement with a licensed guard agency, or oversees the property owner’s guard employees, for the provision of guard services to the subject property.

Volunteers as they are not employed and, hence, not subject to Act 208.

HI Guard Card Application Checklist

The following is a list of items required to apply for your security guard registration and for you to check the items that have been submitted. Have you ……

Answered all questions on the online application form? The form is only available to complete online.

Your Application is considered complete when ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS are in the Board’s office. Please note that the report from the FBI must also be received. Registration must be completed within one year of the application date.

Any misrepresentation your make on your security guard card application may constitute grounds to refuse to register you as a guard and is a misdemeanor under HRS sections 710-1017, 436B-19, and 463-4.

Hawaii Security Guard Card Application Fees

Your application fee to become a security guard varies depending when you apply. This is to force all renewals to happen in even-numbered years. You get a discount if you have to renew sooner after you apply.

If your registration is approved between July 1, even-numbered year to June 30, odd-numbered year, pay $106

Application – $10

Registration fee – $45

Compliance Resolution Fund – $36

1/2 Renewal fee – $15

If your registration is approved between July 1, odd-numbered year to June 30, even-numbered year, pay $73

Application – $10

Registration fee – $45

Compliance Resolution Fund – $18

Make your check payable to: COMMERCE & CONSUMER AFFAIRS. Your check must be made in U.S. dollars and be from a U.S. financial institution.

Security Guard Training Requirements & Fees

You must attach evidence with your Hawaii guard card application of completion of an 8 hour Board of Private Detectives and Guards approved course given by an instructor also approved by the Board. The completion certificate must indicate the name of the approved curricula and guard instructor, the name of the organization providing the course, the date of the class, and the signature of the approved guard instructor.

Guard Card Training Costs

The costs the security officer training class could be up to $150. The regulations doesn’t specify who has to pay for the training. You or your employer can pay for the training.

Hawaii Security Guard Training Curriculum

The state has outlined the following curriculum topics that must be included in the 8 hours of initial training. Other topics and discussions make up the other 4 hours of initial training. Site specific topics may be added beyond the 8 hour mandatory program, but site specific training cannot be included in the mandatory 8 hours.

The four hours of on-the-job training (OJT) are not required to register as a guard under HRS section 463-10.5. However, the OJT hours are provided by an applicant’s employer and are required prior to acting as a guard.

Online Security Guard Training

The Hawaii regulation states that the mandated training must be in a classroom. However, an online course is acceptable if it is a web-based distance learning format with instructor-student interaction facilitated in real-time by a Board approved instructor.

Act 208, (HRS463-10.5) is the Hawaii law that requires All Guards to register with the State of Hawaii. This requirement applies to Seasonal, Holiday, Part-Time & Event Security, and Nightclub Bouncers. Magnum Investigations will help you step by step through the process to make sure you will become a certified Security Professional.

Why Choose Magnum Trainers

* Open Class Schedule with a training location on site or we can travel to you
* We will help you file your state required forms throughout the whole process. Just come prepared to learn.
* Certified Instructors with extensive history in the Local Law Enforcement / Security Industry
* Onsite Training for Companies is Available

Our office is located at 6650 Hawaii Kai Drive, Suite 250. We currently have six experienced investigators to conduct our investigations. Our investigators are trained to conduct covert and overt investigations, including interview techniques and photography to obtain evidence needed for a successful conclusion of our investigations.

We have provided services for insurance companies, the First Hawaiian Auto Show, the National Football League (NFL) Pro Bowl, private attorneys and individual clients. We look forward to providing our services for your needs.

For Any Information about Act 208 Licenses or how to register for classes visit:

TRANSCEND INC. is the leading State of Hawaii Board of Private Detectives and Guards (Board) approved training developer and provider of the 8-hour Initial Security Guard Training to comply with Act 208 (HRS 463-10.5). Over 2000 security professionals have received their Hawaii Security Guard License training through the Transcend Inc. system. Transcend Inc., founded in 2002; is licensed, bonded and insured; holding Hawaii Guard Agency (GDA-795) and Private Detective Agency (PDA-793) licenses. Classes are held at our Professional Training Center in Honolulu, or on-site at client provided venues.